[EBB Sightings] Killer Shrub Jays

That's pretty much the natural order of things.  It's time to nest, lay 
eggs, hatch chicks and support them until they fledge.  "Naked as a 
jay-bird" refers to crow and jay chicks which hatch without feathers.  They 
take a longer time to fledge than most birds and have greater needs for food 
and protection.  "Killer" jays are also "good" parents.  When we had feeders 
a regular visitor was a Cooper's Hawk.  Hawk chicks need to eat also.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Phila Rogers" 
To: "audubon mt.diablo" 
Sent: Sunday, June 01, 2008 4:45 PM
Subject: [EBB Sightings] Killer Shrub Jays


> Dear Birders:
> Since witnessing a Shrub Jay slaughter a Lesser Goldfinch a few days
> ago, I've decided to take down my niger feeder.  When the jay first
> began scattering the feeding birds, I thought it was to dominate the
> feeders by scaring off other birds.  Now I know better. I'm uncertain
> about the details seeing only the jay as he was dispatching the
> goldfinch with a few powerful blows with its heavy beak.  It picked up
> the limp yellow bird and flew off while I, helpless to intercede
> pounded on the window.  I was furious and in an act of mindless
> vengeance I looked for its nest with rasping offspring prepared to
> knock it down.  I changed my mind.
> I can only hope that when the jay young are successfully fledged, that
> the jays will go back to being simply aggressive.
> Phila Rogers
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